Mailing-tube clip.



No. 738,898. PATENTED SEPT. 15, 1903. F. J. GANAWAY.

MAILING TUBE CLIP.

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14/12): essea I 17 22:12 for Patented September 15, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

FRANCIS J. GANAWAY, 0F FRAMINGHAM, MASSACHUSETTS.

MAILING-TUBE CLIP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 7 38,898, dated September 15, 1903.

- Application filed February 5, 1903. Serial No. 142,078. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRANCIS J. GANAWAY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Framingham,in the county of Middlesexand State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mailing-Tube Clips; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

- This invention relates to means for holding the contents of mailing-tubes in place therein and preventing the same from working or falling out and becoming damaged or lost while in transit through the mails.

The object of the invention is to provide a simple and efficient form of spring-clip adapted to be applied at the ends of the tube to bear upon the ends of the mail-matter contained therein and securely retain such matter against outward movement.

In the drawings hereto annexed and forming a part of this specification,Figure 1 is an end view of a mailing-tube, showing the clip applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a fragmentary side view of the same,a portion being broken away to show the clip. Fig. 3 is a detail view of the clip detached.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings,the numeral 1 represents a mailingtube of ordinary form, and 2 the clip.

The clip is made of a single piece of spring sheet-steel bent to form a body portion or arm 3, which is approximately straight and which hasits free end bent at right angles and pointed to form a spur or prong 4. Opposite the body portion or arm 3 is a clip or spring-arm 5, which is connected to said arm by an intermediate curved connecting or return portion 6 and has its free end bent outwardly to form a detent 7. As shown, the clip or spring-arm 5, which acts as a clamp, is curved segmentally inwardly toward the arm 3 and then outtube'l the parts 3 and 5 are sprung apart and slipped endwise upon the end of the tube with said parts lying, respectively, upon the outer and inner sides of the tube, and when r the spur 4 is forced into the tube to hold the clip against outward movement it will be seen that the spring arm or clasp 5 bears against the end of the tube, while the curved end 7 projects inwardly therefrom. The end of the roll, drawing, or other material or mail-matter inclosed within the tube is designed to be clasped by the arm 5,and thereby retained in position against outward movement. In practice two clips are employed, one being applied upon each end of the tube 1, and, if desired, one of said clips may be fitted upon the tube prior to the placing of the mail-matter therein or both clips may be slipped upon the tube after the mail-matter has been inserted. It is preferable, however, to first insert the mail-matter and then to slip the clips in position to clasp the ends thereof against the wall of the tube.

It will be readily understoood that when the parts are so applied the spring-arms 5 will clasp the ends of the mail-matter securely against the tube and. will hold the same against outward movement in either direction, and as the arm 5 exerts pressure in a direction toward the wall of the tube the outer arm 3 will be held drawn against the tube, and the spur or prong 4. will thus be prevented from becoming casually disengaged. The prong 4. will then hold the clip against longitudinal movement on the tube, while the spring-arm 5 will retain said spur or prong in looking engagement.

In practice a clip may be primarily disposed upon one end of the tube, the roll inserted, and another clip applied to the other end of the tube or both clips may be applied after the rolLhas been inserted. When a clip is primarily fastened upon one end of the tube, it will of course be apparent that the roll will be inserted at the opposite end of the tube and that the entering edge of the roll will be guided by the finger 7 beneath the clamp 5, thus preventing cutting or mutilation of the roll. In a similar manner the finger 7 will guide the clip in position and prevent injury to the end edge of the roll when the clip is applied to engage the inserted roll. It will thus be seen that the peculiar form of the clip is of importance and secures advantageous results.

Mail-matter transmitted through the mails in tubes may thus by means of my invention be held securely within their containers and prevented from working or falling out and becominginjured orlost while in transit through the mail.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the construction, mode of operation, and advantages of my invention will be readily apparent, it is thought,without requiring a more extended explanation.

Various changes in the form, proportion, and the minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A clip for the purpose described comprising a piece of spring metal bent to form a body portion or arm having a spur 0r prong at its free end, a spring-clasp lying opposite said arm and having a segmentally-curved clamping portion, an outwardly-curved finger, and a return portion connecting the clasp and arm, substantially as described.

2. The combination with the mailing-tube 1, of a spring-clip 2 for the purpose described, the same comprising a piece of spring metal bent to form an arm 3 lying longitudinally against the outer side of the tube and provided with a spur 4: entering the tube, a clasp portion 5 lying on the interior of the tube and segmentally curved to bear intermediately against the inner side of the tube, said clasp portion having the outwardly-curved fingers 7, and the bow-spring portion 6 connecting the arm and clasp, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FRANCIS J. GANAWAY. Witnesses:

EDNA O. GOULDING, SID. A. PHILLIPS. 

